Process of making soap and article produced thereby



Oct. 24, 1944. A WESTERBERG 2,360,920

PROCESS OF MAKING SOAP AND ARTICLE PRODUCED THEREBY Filed May 28', 1945 IN VEN TOR. .fb/ r A l/Zrrzmszwa Patented Oct. 24, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE" PROCESS OF MAKING SOAP AND ARTICLE PRODUCED THEREBY Edith A. Westerberg, New Xork, N. Y. Application May 28, 1943, Serial No. 488,816

11 Claims.

This application is a continuation in part of my application Serial No. 415,872, filed October 21, 1941.

My invention relates to the production of a convexity of bud-like shape madeof soap for individual use. It is well known that there is a constantly increasing demand for soap in such a composition that it will be completely used up with a single washing of the hands.

My invention has for its principal object to provide a process which will produce an elongated convexity of bud-like shape which will be available for cleansing the hands producing a highly satisfactory lather, but which, in using, will completely dissolve and hence, entirely disappear with a single washing of the hands.

I am aware that attempts have been made to produce such a soap. For example United States Letters Patent No. 1,414,015 to Godfrey, shows one such manufacture. As therein set forth the result is secured by placing the soap in an airtight tank where it is crutched in a vacuum. Or by subjecting the mass in the tank to superatmcspheric pressure during the operation. This will produce an aggregate which will have a more or less crystalline appearance.

An objection to this process as will appear from the hereinafter contained description is that it is impossible to observe the mass during the carry.- ing out of the various steps of the process. Practice has shown that it is of the utmost importance that careful and continuous observation must be employed in order to secure the result desired. Another objection is that there is no control of the s ze of the air cells. This is highly important. I have found in practice that unless the above procedure is closely followed it is impossible to obtain the sufficient surface cohesion so that the buds can be packed and shipped without fracture.

A further object of my invention is to provide a process of manufacturing such bud-like shapes in such a manner that the product will present a unique form and appearance.

My means of accomplishing the foregoing objects may be more readily understood by having reference to the accompanying drawing which is hereunto annexed and made a part of the specification in which I have shown one form of apparatus to carry out the steps of the method, in which Fig. l is a vertical sectional view of a container adapted to be used in carrying out my process;

Fi 2 shows one way o xtruding the oap; and V ig- 3 i a ers ee i e i w of one f t e b S e re e e ce nume ls ef r simi ar parts throughout the entire specification.

It s ould. e learly und r eed th t he dre ingis furnished solely for the purpose of illusat ne p ara us wh eh ma b u z d to carry an the ra ieus ste s of m process. b is not intended as a limitation in any sense, since th ee s may n e reetie b a and the illustrations are merely to show a convenie t w y 9f, til zin m imp v d method r process.

I the e e m neee my ro s I have d. n ract e that satisfa o y re ults may p oduced by following in orderly-sequence, the follow pro ressi st Dissolve in H2O which has been heated to approximately from to 212 F, a concentrated, neutral soap powder, to form an aqueous, thoroughly dissolved soap solution. I have found the best results are secured by proportioning the mixture by volume one fourth of soap powder to three fourths of H20.

To this aqueous soap solution, I add one ninth part by volume of an aqueous solution of some demulcent. I have found Irish moss very satisfactory for thispurpose. I have also used a solution of Persian quince seed with satisfactory results. I have found it satisfactory, in some cases, to add a small proportion of glycerine, say, one eighth part. I have found inpractice'that I can improve both the texture and appearance by adding a slight quantity of dextrose, for .example, one half as much as Irish moss. These additions are not vital for they may be added without interfering with my process or product. Then I add s'uch'coloring and perfume as may be desired.

This mixture is then placed in a container such as indicated by numeral I. This container i may be provided with a steam jacket indicated by numeral 2. H

The mixture is then whisked, or beaten, with a'rotary beater such as -3 which, however, must be an over and over motion, so that the mixture will become a mass of minute air cells. The mixture must be whisked until it has assumed sufiicient stiffness of texture as to cause it to retain the air cells without subsequently subsidmg. H

I have foundin Practice that it is not absolutely necessary to use-all of -the-ingredients as above set forth, and I have-been able t'o manu of a concentrated soap powder and water.

I have also found in practice that there are certain critical steps which must be followed to' produce a perfect article. First of all the composition and/or proportions must be most carefully weighed and observed. I do this by measuring and weighing. The soap is first weighed and to nine (9) oz. avoirdupois is added 24 oz. fluid measure of cold water to form an emulsion. To this emulsion is added 24 fluid oz. of water which has been heated approximately to 180 C.

This mixture is then placed in a double boiler and heated until it reaches a temperature of 65 C. at which point the mixture will change from a cloudy appearance to a one of water clearness. The temperature is critical and a thermometer must be used at every step. The next step is the beating. This must be done at atmospheric pressure in an open vessel, such as shown in Fig. l, as the mass must be constantly observed.

First-great care must be taken to see that it has the correct amount of body or it will become spongy, disintegrate after drying, and all of the labor will be lost.

Second-that it does not assume a buttery appearance.

Thirdthat it must not be crystalline in appearance or it will defeat the sought for result.

I have found in practice that a satisfactory result can only be secured if these steps'are followed as set forth. The beating is also critical for in order to obtain the best result the mass must first be beaten at a slow speed, I find approximately from 200 to 210 R. P. M. is satisfactory, this operation is continued until it assumes an appearance of frothiness and will hold its body. When it has attained this appearance the speed should be increased to'a higher speed say approximately one third faster.v This will produce a large bubble. The high speed is continued until it assumes a roll appearance, the speed is then changed to the low speed as at first or approximately 200 R. P. M. Continue this speed untilthe mass is heavy enough to pattern similar to pie crust. The beating should be continued until completed. This point can be determined by taking out a spoonful. If this leaves a complete depression with sharp edges the mass is ready for shaping. This semi-fluid mass is then ready to be put into its final form. This is accomplished by extruding it into elongated convexities of bud like shape.

For a small operation I have found it satisfactory to use a standard pastry bag 4, and simply by hand pressure extruding the amount needed to form a bud 5, of the desired size. It will be clear that in large operations an extruding machine (not shown as it is no part of my invention) may be employed.

In this manner, I produce an elongated convexity of bud like appearance made of soap which due to its peculiar velvety appearance, presents an entirely novel article which makes-an appeal to the esthetic emotions, while at the same time.

is useful as a cleansing agent.

In practice, I have found that these bud like convexities produced by my process dissolve immediately upon the application of water, and which will with the usual rubbing of the hands, emulsify into soft suds and leaving no residue to be disposed of, other than by rinsing the hands of the suds formed, yet will possess sufficient sur-- one to pack and ship the face cohesion to enable By the use of soap formed buds without fracture.

as set forth I produce a sanitary individual soap bud, which will not leave any remainder after a single use.

I have set forth with some particularity a formula which can be used for producing my improved soap bud, but this should not be construed as a limitation. It will be understood by persons skilled in the art, that the composition of the formula may be varied, and yet not depart from my invention, and I do not wish to be understood as being limited to the specific ingredients except as such limitations may appear in the hereinafter contained claims.

' Having described my invention what I regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The process of forming individual soap buds consisting of the following steps: heating a quantity of water to approximately 180 to 212 F. adding three parts by volume of a commercial, neutral soap powder, adding one-ninth by volume of an aqueous solution of a demulcent, then whipping the mixture at atmospheric pressure in a Vessel open to the atmosphere and'to observation until it becomes a mass of minute air cells and stiff enough to retain the minute air cells without subsequently subsiding, then drying it in relatively small portions.

2. The process set forth in claim 1, in which the aqueous demulcent is formed from Irish moss.

3. The process set forth in claim 1, in which the aqueous demulcent is formed from Persian quince seed.

4. The process set forth in claim 1, in which the aqueous demulcent is formed from Irish moss and gelatin in equal parts.

5. The process set forth in claim 1, in which the aqueous demulcent is formed by Irish moss and gelatin there being two parts of Irish moss to one part gelatin.

6. The process set forth in claim 1, in which the aqueous demulcent is formed from two parts of Persian quince seed and one part of gelatin.

'7. The process set forth in claim 1, in which the aqueous demulcent is formed from Irish moss and gelatin in equal parts, then adding by volume one half as much glycerine as gelatin.

8. The process set forth in claim 1, in which the aqueous demulcent is formed from two parts of Irish moss and one part dextrose.

9. The process of forming soap of bud like shape of velvety'appearance comprising the following steps: mixing nine ozs. avoirdupois of soap powder with twenty-four ozs. fluid of cold water toform an emulsion, then adding twentyfour ozs. fluid of water heated to approximately 180 C. then heating until it reaches 65 C. placing in a vessel open to the atmosphere and subject to observation until it becomes water clear, then beating the mass at a speed of approximately 200 R. P. M. until it assumes an appearance of frothiness and will hold its body, then increasing the speed until it is approximately 265 R. P. M. and continue until it assumes a rolledge, then extruding the mass into bud like shapes.

10. The process of forming soap of bud like shape of velvety appearance comprising the fol' lowing steps: mixing nine ozs. avoirdupois of soap powder with twenty-four ozs. fluid of cold water to form an emulsion, then adding twentyvelvety appearance of uniform structure throughout, said article prepared from a .soap mass whipped to such stiffness that when dried by exposure to air will substantially retain its mass of minute air cells; has suflicient surface 00- hesion to be capable of packing and shipping without fracture, and which will immediately dissolve upon the application of water leaving no remainder after a single use.

EDITH A. WESTERBERG. 

